Hopes of recycling centre U-turn look dead and buried

Feelings run high at packed meeting in Monifieth as lack of local spend is highlighted by angry residents

Monifieth residents who turned out in force to fight for the retention of the local recycling centre have been given little reassurance that the battle has not already been lost.

During two hours of impassioned debate at a hastily-organised public meeting just weeks before a decision on the reshaping of recycling provision is due to be taken, Angus Council leader Bob Myles was forced to admit the group set up to examine a possible U-turn of the controversial closure proposal for the facility was bereft of alternative options and facing a race against time.

A meeting of the full Angus Council early next month is due to consider the way forward for Monifieth, Forfar and Kirriemuir after the new multi-party administration vowed to look again at the decision of its SNP predecessors to shut the coastal facility and establish a supersite for the two inland towns.

Mr Myles had vowed to “leave no stone unturned” in the quest for alternatives, but he came under fire from the packed community cabin meeting as residents took it in turn to swamp him with their belief that the closure decision is already a fait accompli.

The council says it will save £100,000 by axing Monifieth, leaving residents with the option of travelling to recycling centres in Dundee or Carnoustie.

Monifieth Community Council organised the meeting, which attracted almost 100 people – another forum is scheduled for Kirriemuir Town Hall the evening before the council is due to decide the way forward – and chairwoman Sheena Cochrane said the mood was that Monifieth was very much the forgotten burgh of Angus.

She told the council leader: “You say you do not want to pit burgh against burgh in the provision of facilities but that’s exactly what you are doing.

“We all get it – money is tight – but Monifieth and Sidlaw as a ward brings in a high proportion of council tax in Angus, so why is it that you always leave Monifieth out?

“We know what we are putting into Angus Council and we know what we are getting out – and it is not enough.”

The meeting made a desperate plea for councillors to defer a decision on the centre closure when they meet on September 7, but Mr Myles left little hope there will be a stay of execution.

“If a difficult decision has to be made, the quicker the better,” he said.

We know what we are putting into Angus Council and we know what we are getting out – and it is not enough. SHEENA COCHRANE MONIFIETH COMMUNITY COUNCIL CHAIRWOMAN

Picture: Paul Reid. Monifieth residents made their feelings known to council chief Bob Myles, centre.